Positive Voices and the Election

Positive Voices is non-partisan, and will not be endorsing any candidates or groups in this election.

However we will not shy away from championing the issues that brought us together, and advocating for rational solutions to the challenges we face: climate change, housing, transportation and community well-being.

Under the new BC elections law third parties are required to register before engaging in "issue advertising” - any communications on matters that play in the elections.

That’s why we took the decision, several months before the election, to register as a third-party organisation.

This means we are obliged to file a disclosure statement reporting expenditure during the election period (Sep 17 - Oct 15, election day).

To be clear: we are NOT an ‘elector organisation’ - or civic political party.

We would urge ANY group or individual endorsing candidates or campaigning on issues that will be debated in our community to do the same.

Positive Voices is nonpartisan, independent and will not be endorsing any candidates in this election.

On Saturday (1 October) the environmental group Force of Nature, which had planned to co-sponsor our all-candidate forum on October 6th, published a list endorsing a number of WV candidates.

Subsequently Force of Nature offered to withdraw from participating in our event and we have accepted their offer.

The Squamish-based group My Sea to Sky, which works to protect Howe Sound, was also due to co-host our meeting.

For the avoidance of any confusion about our advocacy, and priorities, we have thanked My Sea to Sky, and decided that this event should be held solely under the Positive Voices banner.

Positive Voices’ objectives are to inform our community about the climate crisis and other critical challenges facing us; advocate for a solutions-based approach at local government level; and in the context of our forum, encourage candidates to explain their views and policies on the environment.

We look forward to hearing what you have to say on Thursday. Through this election campaign and after, we expect that community leaders will work hard to speak to people across this community, including supporters of Positive Voices, and look forward to your participation.

A lot of work goes into hosting an all-candidates meeting, and our team is working hard to ensure that our event reaches as many WV residents as possible. That’s why ours will be the only ‘hybrid ‘ all-candidates meeting - streamed live for those who might otherwise find it difficult to attend.

Positive Voices director John Millar resigned from the board of the environmental group Force of Nature on 17th October.

On 28 September we wrote to all candidates requesting answers to the questions below, so that we could give voters a better understanding of policy platforms.

1. What would you do to change West Vancouver Council's housing policy, if anything?

2. Would you have voted to approve 2195 Gordon Avenue (passed in June 2022)?

3. What would you prioritize for Environmental Protection in West Van?

4. What actions would you support to tackle climate change, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in our community?

5. Would you vote for or against the Cypress Village & Eagleridge proposal?

6. What’s your top priority for transportation in West Vancouver?

7. How would you improve bus services in our district?

8. What does fiscal responsibility mean to you?

9. What should we do with West Vancouver’s ageing arts facilities - the Music Box and Silk Purse on the waterfront, and Art Museum on 17th Street?

10. Would you vote for or against the proposed Inglewood Campus of Care?

Unfortunately we had too few responses to make this a meaningful exercise, so we informed candidates that we would not be publishing our candidate profiles.